Optical module

Abstract

An optical module: an optical plug that supports one end of an optical fiber and has a first surface that is generally in parallel with an extension direction of the optical fiber at one end side thereof and two second surfaces traversing the first surface; an optical element container that has an optical element and a transparent surface traversing an optical axis of the optical element, and is disposed such that the optical axis of the optical element and an optical axis of the optical fiber cross one another; an optical block having an optical reflection surface disposed at an intersection of the optical axis of the optical element and the optical axis of the optical fiber; and a resin member that includes a first guide surface in contact with one of the two second surfaces of the optical plug and a second guide surface in contact with the transparent surface of the optical container on which the optical plug is mounted.

1. An optical module comprising:
 an optical plug that supports one end of an optical fiber and has a first surface that is generally in parallel with an extension direction of the optical fiber at one end side thereof and two second surfaces traversing the first surface; 
 an optical element container that has an optical element and a transparent surface traversing an optical axis of the optical element, and is disposed such that the optical axis of the optical element and an optical axis of the optical fiber cross one another; 
 an optical block having an optical reflection surface disposed at an intersection of the optical axis of the optical element and the optical axis of the optical fiber; and a resin member that includes a first guide surface in contact with one of the two second surfaces of the optical plug and a second guide surface in contact with the transparent surface of the optical container on which the optical plug is mounted, 
 wherein the resin member includes a thin portion having a first thickness relatively small in a first direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the optical fiber and a thick portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness of the thin portion, wherein the second guide surface is formed as one surface of the thin portion. 
 
   
   
     2. An optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein the optical plug is disposed in contact with the optical block. 
   
   
     3. An optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin member further includes a third guide surface in contact with the first surface of the optical plug, the third guide surface is formed extending over the thin portion and the thick portion, and the optical block is disposed on the third guide surface. 
   
   
     4. An optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein the thin portion includes two arm sections protruding from one end of the thick portion and disposed interposing the optical block, and the second guide surface is formed as a surface of each of the arm sections. 
   
   
     5. An optical module according to  claim 4 , wherein the optical block is disposed on the transparent surface of the optical element container. 
   
   
     6. An optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein the sum of the thickness of the thin portion and the thickness of the optical element container in the first direction is generally equal to the thickness of the thick portion in the first direction. 
   
   
     7. An optical module according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin member further includes a third guide surface in contact with the first surface of the optical plug, and further comprising a holder having a leaf spring section that is in contact with the optical plug and forces the optical plug to the third guide surface and a hook that engages with the thin portion of the resin member wherein the holder covers the resin member and the optical plug. 
   
   
     8. An optical module according to  claim 7 , wherein the resin member further includes protruded sections protruding from one end of at least one of the thin portion and the thick portion along an optical axis direction of the optical fiber, and the holder further includes opening sections that mate with the protruded sections of the resin member.